F 159 
.L2 L4 
Copy 2 




Columbia treats her strangers weel, 
The langer kent she grows mair dear, 

And aff the heath nae Scot can feel 
So much at hame as here! 






Columbia— Calebonia^ 

H ScottisbaBmerican Song. 



" Thy spirit, Independence, let me share, 
Lord 0/ (he Lion heart and Eagle eye ! " 



I. 

The land we left— aye to us dear! 

We've sung it lood and lang; 
But hae we nae a country here 

As worthy o' a sang? 
While Scotland's name and Scotland's 
fame 
Wl' us can never dee, 
Columbia noo we've made oor hame, 
And praise to her we'll gie! 
The Mither Land! The Mither Land! 

Let's couple wi' her name 
The Independent ither land 
We noo hae made oor hame! 

II. 

Shak' oot the starry banner's fauld, 

And let the Thistle wave; 
The rampant Lion's nae mair bauld 

Than is the Eagle brave! 
The land we're in's a peerless land, 

As big as Scotia's wee; 
Weel worthy by her side to stand 
And aye oor hame to be! 
We'll ne'er forget the Mither Land, 

Nor need a Scot think shame 
To sing wi' pride the ither land 
We noo hae made oor hame! 

III. 
The hame we had— the hame we hae! 

O, lang and far ye' 11 ca' 
Afore ye meet, if e'er ye may, 

Wi' sic anither twa! 
Auld Caledonia's first and best 

O' lands across the sea; 
And here's the glory o' the West, 
The country o' the free! 
God's blessings on the Mither Land, 

And a' within the same, 
And also on the ither land 
We noo hae made oor hame! 

—JAMES D. LAW. 




F 159 
.L2 L4 
Copy 2 



Xancastet— ©16 anb Bew 



3Bi? James S>» Xaw 



It's but a little local rhym© 

With no pretence at special skill; 
I singr not of a far-off clime, 

I write not with a classic quill. 

I never saw Parnassus Hill 
Nor drank from Helicon sublime: 
My rhyme's a little local rhyme 

With no pretence at special skill. 

And yet, for those who have the time 
To take the good and leave the 111 

The music of its homely chime 
A plaasant hour may haply fill, 

Altho' it's but a local rhyme 
With no pretence at special skill. 



"TOKtb tbc Compliments of tbe autbor 



"Consider all that lies in that one word 
PAST! What a pathetic, sacred, in every 
sense POETIC, meaning is Implied in it; 
a meaning growing ever the clearer, the 
farther we recede in Time,— the MORiE 
of that same Past we have to look 
through!— On which ground indeed must 
Sauerteig have built, and not without 
plausibility, in that strange thesis of his: 
'That History, after all, is the true 
Poetry; that Reality, if rightly inter- 
preted, is grander than Fiction; nay that 
even in the right Interpretation of Reality 
and History does genuine Poetry con- 
sist.' " — Carlyle. 

"An artist that works in marble or 
colors has them all to himself and his 
tribe, but the man who moulds his 
thoughts in verse has to employ the ma- 
terials vulgarized by everybody's use, and 
glorify them by his handling."— Holmes. 



Special Notice. 

in^ Mr. Law will consider himself under 
special obligation to any one who may 
point out errors, either of omission or 
commission, and any new material re- 
ceived will be incorporated In the next 
edition. 



LANCASTER-OLD AND NEW 

LAW 



|tt pijemoriattt 



|pam0tt gr0$ms 



"Native here and to the manner born." 



But yesterday we saw and hailed our friend 
As, full of life, he passed along the street: 
Ere dawn to-day his heart had ceased to beat, 

So swiftly did the fatal stroke descend, 

The knell that none could fail to comprehend, 
The certain summons that we all must meet; 
And now the glory of a higher seat 

Succeeds the term that here has reached its end ( 

A soldier-statesman: in his chosen field 
We honored him as our repeated choice 
Until his name was to the nation known ; 
And at the last, with all his worth revealed, 
While we lament we also can rejoice 
That brilliant Brosius was our very own. 

March 16, 1901. J. D. L. 



REVISED AND ENLARGED COPY 



LANCASTER- OLD AND NEW 



AN ADDRESS 

PKLIVERED BEFORE 

THE LANCASTER BOARD OF TRADE 

JANUARY 9 1902 

BY 

JAMES D. LAW 

Author of " Dreams o' Hame," " The Sea-Shore of Bohemia," " Columbia- 
Caledonia," and other Scottish and American Foems. 



PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR 

AT 

LANCASTER, PA., U. S. A. 

January 25, 1902. 



.L 



/■ 



Dedicated 

TO 

My Fellow Members 

OF the 

Lancaster Board of Trade. 

i Lots of wit and lots of humor!— As we all 

were gather'd there 
Some to see us might have fancied we 

had never known a care! 
Just as well a man can bury Life's vexa- 
tions for a time, 
Only by a sour-faced bigot is a frolic 

deemed a crime. 
Smile, my brother, when you want to, 

whereso'er your lot be cast. 
Never mind the musty proverb, 'He 

laughs best who laughs the last.' 
'Better late,' I know, 'than never,' but we 

also must allow 
None can glorify the future looking sad 

and gloomy Now! 
Leave To-morrow's cares and worries till 

To-morrow's clouds appear. 
Millions scenting distant trouble miss the 

blossoms soatter'd Here. 
Of the phantoms of the fancy Fear has 

been the poison asp. 
Sucking all the life and pleasure from 

the things within our grasp. 
Melancholia breeds but cobwebs in the 

chambers of the brain: 
Laughter like the bright Aurora scatters 

Sunshine in its train: — 
Light and Life and all the Graces smiling 

down from skies of blue. 
Thro' their rosy-tinted fingers dripping 

balm like healing dew: — 
Laughter! — Nature's best elixir for a 

thousand human ills 
With no after-tang to follow in the 

shape of doctor's bills! 



Copyright, 1902, 

BY 

J. D. LAW. 



"LANCASTER: OLD AND NEW." 

There is a common saying that 
everybody else linows more about our 
business than we do ourselves; and, 
while I confess I have sometimes felt 
that it surely must be so, I do not ask 
any of you, gentlemen, to subscribe to 
such a statement. It is. however, gen- 
erally admitted, I believe, that in com- 
ing to a new locality a stranger is apt 
to notice many things that are over- 
looked by native residents. As a com- 
parative newcomer I must at the out- 
start plead guilty to having been to 
some extent "a chiel amang ye takin' 
notes;" but when it is known that I 
only take them to give them back 
again I do not altogether fear your 
censure. Furthermore, when I succeed 
in securing for my "notes" the en- 
dorsement of the Lancaster Board of 
Trade I am satisfied if they may never 
reach general acceptance they will not 
locally, at least, be allowed to go to 
protest. 

In the brief time at my disposal I 
can only touch on a few items, and the 
exigencies of the occasion must serve 
as an excuse for the fragmentary char- 
acter of my address. No matter how or 
where we approach the subject, Lancas- 
ter is always interesting. John Wright, 
of Old England, began us right by giving 
us the classical name of his birthplace. 
When the Romans invaded Britain 
more than two thousand years ago, 
they established a castle or camp on 
the banks of the River Lone, or Lune, 
and from this "Lune-Ceaster" comes 
the name of Lancaster. Spenser men- 
tions it in his "Faerie Queene," it 
figures largely in Michael Dray- 
ton's "Barons' Wars," and through 
no less than seven of Shake- 
speare's immortal dramas it plays a 
prominent part. In the fourteenth 
century the Scots swooped down on 
the old town, almost wiping it out of 
existence; and it is interesting to note 
that in the twentieth century some of 
the same race are to be found doing 



r 



6 

their best not to r-a-z-e, but to r-a-i-s-e 
our modern Lancaster, which is cer- 
tainly a good way to expiate the sins 
of their ancestors. Having had occa- 
sion recently to invoke the Muse in 
favor of some local topics I jumped 
into the arena with no little misgiving, 
you may truly believe. 

Mlg-ht I the facts like Mombert scoop, 

had I the inspiration 
Of such as Harris, Ford or Rupp, or 

Evans' information! 
Could I but only for a while the lyre of 

Kieffer borrow 
The Art of StaufEer or the style of Mar- 
tin or of Morrow! 
Did I like Diffenderffer write, like 

Steinman or like Sener, 
How much in learning and in light my 

page would be the gainer! 
Had I but Dr. Dubbs's pen or Clare and 

Whitson's pencil,* 
Some finer strokes I surely then might 

undertake to stencil. 
But if they may be under par in spirit 

and in letter, 
Accept my verses as they are, till some 

one gives us better. 



One of the first things that struck me 
in regard to Lancaster county was its 
beautiful natural scenery. As a con- 
crete example, I recall a lovely April 
afternoon, in company with some 
friends. 

The City clocks were striking four as 

Grandview was receding 
And soon bv Pequea's lovely shore the 

Day Express was speeding— 



* Why wait until their final call and then 

in polished phrases 
Beside the coffin and the pall begin to 

sing their praises? 
Far rather would I hear, indeed, a puff in 

plain prosaics 
Than have my weeping widow read my 

name in elegaics! 
So bear in mind if any laud you ever 

think of giving. 
It's not unlawful to applaud a fellow 

while he's living. 
I have but small respect for those whose 

pride can ne'er be tickled. 
Could I arrange it, goodness knows they'd 

all be caught and pickled. 
While men can taste and see and hear 

and gauge and weigh and measure 
A little bit of wholesome cheer can give 

them no displeasure. 
Away with all the mawkish airs of him 

who makes pretension 
And says he neither knows nor cares how 

folks his name may mention! 
The ladies don't— the pretty dears^n 

their polite dominion, 
But happy is the man who hears an- 
other's good opinion. 



The Train that yet for all its pace was 

so accommodating 
It stopped to leave us at the place where 

teams were for us waiting. 
It took no little driving skill as well as 

concentration 
Unsqueezed to climb the Bleak House Hill 

from Kinzer's Railway Station, 
But when at last we reached the top and 

cast our eyes about us 
Soon did the beauties of the stop begm to 

thrill throughout us: 
A sense of joy we all agree and gratitude 

came o'er us 
That we were yet alive to see the scenes 
^rf.r--, thait lay before us: 
/ The mountains rising on the left where 
J observation ended. 

1 By some manipulation deft seemed with 
I the azure blended. 

I The nearer ranges in their swell like 
\ waves upon the ocean, 

\ As shadows o'er them rose and fell, ap- 
» peared to be in motion. 

1 And through the haze, as in a dream, 
\ with smoky pennons trailing, 

I We saw the whitewashed houses gleam 
i like stately vessels sailing. 

x)h, what a peaceful, happy land, where 

yachts are made from stables, 
And battleships are built and mann d 

from snowy-tinted gables! 
Where daring sailors plow the fields with 

heavy canvass'd clippers, 
And where the apple orchard yields as 

enterprising shippers! 
Upon our right as rare a scene our rov- 
ing eyes delighted, 
And not a speck of black or green was 

in the prospect slighted. 
The trains, the woods, the Nickel Mines, 

the homes and fields so pretty, 
To mention all would strain the lines of 
my impromptu ditty. 



As has been Better said than I can 
say it, Lancaster county has always 
been noted for its superiority in pro- 
viding for the inner man. Recently I 
had a good illustration of the ruling 
passion strong at ninety, and will 
quote the incident in its entirety, be- 
cause, in addition to an interesting 
bill of fare, I have attempted to fix 
with more or less fidelity a few of the 
idioms of speech that I thinlc are pecu- 
liar to this part of Pennsylvania: 

Believing with the greater bards of yore. 
Like Shakespeare, Milton. Byron, Moore 

and Burns, 
On all that may pertain to homely themes, 
Where inborn sense is joined to mother 

wit, 
The truest critics are the common folk, 
I sought a man, a native of the place, 
To him some samples of my verse I read, 
And far beyond my hope or my deserts 



8 

My farmer friend, of man's allotted age. 
Approved my sketches and pronounced 

them g-ood. 
But just as I, elated with the praise 
(To only say what some would fail to say, 
Or make pretenses that it mattered not), 
Had reached the passage touching off the 

sights 
So common once on Yearly Settling Day, 
My single hearer was, to his surprise 
And my instruction, by his father joined. 
Six feet and over in his stocking soles 
He must have measured ere he passed 

his prime. 
And bending now across his oaken staff. 
His back supporting more than ninety 

years. 
His ruddy cheek yet mantled fresh and 

clean 
Against the silver of his straggling hairs— 
A rose implanted in a wreath of snow- 
He heard me read, and when I reached 

the end 
"There's more," said he, "than what you 

say is all — 
Indeed and double— lots of things I've 

saw. 
Yes, ev'ry which way that you care to 

turn. 
That Time has outen'd since I was a boy. 
If you kin stay I'll let you know a while— 
Your stuff is just so middlin', so I sink— 
Eusebius Hershey is my pik for rhymes: 
Not heavy like a piece of silly bread. 
Nor strubly— no— and lasty as the sun. 
His 'Living Poem' I have got it onct. 
And read it in the after— ev'ry day— 
I've seen him yet already preaching still!" 
And so, not much unlike "The Inland 

Ship 
Of Commerce," once familiar in our vales 
With "gee" and "haw," the old man ram- 
bled on. 
His curious phrases, quite beyond my art 
In all their faithfulness to reproduce. 
I had forgotten— so he sadly said— 
To "make a mention" of the old-time 

school, 
When boys and girls would bar their 

teacher out 
Until he treated them to sweets and fruit. 
Then, at the thought of something good 

to eat, 
A brighter light came dancing in his eyes, 
And with a wealth of eulogistic words 
He smacked his lips as he recalled the list 
Of dainties common in his younger days: 
The Apple Butter and the Souss and Sass, 
The Apple Dumplings and the Schnitz 

and Knep, 
Sour-krout and butter-bread and "kauphy- 

soup" 
(I write the last as it was writ for me)! 
And kichlin cakes, kohl-slaw and liver- 

wurst 
And "chighans from the bott" and raisin 

Pie! 
("My daddy had no breakfast if he lacked 
His smear-kase mixed with garlic — and 

his pipe!") 
And then he took a turn and spoke of 

Schpooks, 



9 

And Pow-wow doctors that would puff 

and blow 
And mumble words until a sickly child 
Was of its ailments and its aches re- 
lieved; 
And when he had got fairly started in 
On Huskings, Quiltings, and the Parties 

met 
For Singing— all such interesting themes— 
A passmg shadow and a puff of wind 
Upset his eloquence and changed his look; 
'I fear," said he, "that it will give a 

gust— 
And like enough will soon make some- 
thing down. 
It has a crutch agin a pleasant time— 
I'll have to go and make the back-door 

shut!" 

So with my thanks I said a quick Good- 
bye 
To reach my home before the rain came 

on, 
Delighted greatly with the old man's 
talk. 



While some of the items of our old 
friend's list I have never seen, I can 
cheerfully testify that in modern ban- 
quets Lancaster can ably hold her ovni. 
An opportunity was given me not long 
ago to attend an informal gathering, 
which opened up a chance for some 
verses by way of dessert. 

There we found a groaning table in ap- 
pointments spick and span, 

Nothing lacking one could wish for to re- 
fresh the inner man. 

If some may think I have more nuts 
than candy in my confectionery they 
must blame the subject and not the 
writer: 

Ah, when will we together get again in 

such a party 
With such a feast before us set and ap- 
petites so hearty? 
From soup to shad, from shad to lamb^ 

we zigzagged on, erratic, 
Down all the line to cheese and ham and 

mocha aromatic; 
Forgetting not the sparkling wine with 

which the whole was savor'd 
The new strawberries, big and fine, so 

fresh and sweetly flavor'd; —^ 

And Cream! It was so rich and nice, if , 

one had kept the tally, 
I'll bet it came from Paradise— beneath 

us in the valley! 
Perhaps you think to suit my rhyme I ( 

have the place invented; \ 

That merely with a word to chime my / 

verse has been augmented; C 

But bless ye, no— we have it sure and lots / 

of others rarer, f 

From common Clay and Bareville pure to 

Bear's a little barer! 
We're not so great as Father Penn ta 

vaunt such names as Andy, 



10 

Pocopson, Paint and Robber's Den; w© 

have no Woodcock handy. 
We crave no Moon, Oil Creeic nor Peach, 

and neither are we Icicking' 
To know that Wolf's beyond our reach 

and N'ippenose and Licking. 
No Chest is ours, nor Loyal Sock, nor are 

we yet so crazy 
To own New Freedom, Slippery Rock, 

Scrubb Grass, Snow Shoe and Daisy. 
It's true we have not yet begun to give 

a place like Rush room, 
Or Warrior's Mark or Warrior's Run or 

Cberrytree or Mushroom. 
Fair Chance, Four Coons and Sugartown, 

Cornplanter, Muff and Minnie 
We have to pass with Eagle's Crown, 

Parnassus and Shickshinny. 
We're not so rich as we have been; we've 

lost John Harris' Ferry, 
Our Robinson no more is seen, nor Beam 

nor dear old Derry. 
Peshtank and Hallem, too.are gone, Man- 
chester and Montgomery 
Are now to us as much unknown aa 

Heidelberg and Cumry. 
The Signboards may be taken down and 

in our local babble 
No more we mention Pinchguttown or 

once far famed Hardscrabble. 
No longer may we proudly know such 

morsels fat and juicy 
As Fiddlers' Green and Beggars' Row, 

Seyschwamp and Noodledoosey; 
But we can surely not complain of what 

time has bereft us 
While on our map we still retain a list 

like what is left us. 
What other county in the land within 

such compass narrow 
Can boast of names like Bird-in-Hand, 

Letort and Octoraro! 
Salunga, Chickies, Kissel Hill, Cocalico, 

Vinola, 
Fertility and Puseyville, Lobata and 

Leo la- 
Are but a few I can recall in quite a 

careless gleaning. 
With music in them one and all regard- 
less of the meaning. 
To get a sound to fitly go with little Cone- 

wago 
You cannot show us less than show the 

city of Chicago! 
We have a Greenland, also Lapps for 

those who love the Arctic, 
But home explorers may perhaps be satis- 
fied with Martic. 
If one should find Sadsbury sad or Provi- 
dence unpleasant 
A smiling Eden may be had where May 

is always present! 
We've Windom "to the Manor born" (as 

oft it's wrongly written) 
And Donegals that look with scorn on 

Bart and Little Britain! 
Colerain and Lyles we can produce as 

worthy of attention. 
And Schoeneck, Iva, Pool and Truce we 

should not fail to mention. 
Tho' I believe in Irish O's we may be 

somewhat barren. 



11 

There's not a Mac. nor Mc. but knows the 

comforts of McSparran. 
We've Lincoln. Newton. Andrew's Bridge. 

New Holland and New Texas 
yike s Peak and Ronk's and Black Oak 
■nrr ^^^Se and Vici to perplex us. 
we have no Monk, but in Mt. Joy we 

never lack a Florin, 
While names like Narvon and Conoy to 

us are nowise foreign! 
Why need our wooers waste their breath 

when those who chance to get a 
Kefusal from Elizabeth can go to Mari- 
etta ! 
If no Rebecca we can claim, we have a 

sweet Rowenna, 
But those who think Acadia tame in vain 

will seek Gehenna. 
Our Unicorn's no fabled horse, our Buck's 

domesticated. 
And long for pleasant Intercourse we 

have been celebrated. 
In Kinderhook or Amsterdam the Dutch 

can hold communion; 
Grand Army "Vets can drink a dram at 

Junction or at Union; 
We ve Silver Springs and Muddy Creek 

for Sober Water Drinkers; 
Churchto'wn and Kirkwood both bespeak 

no lack of pious thinkers; 
For Scots we have got Aberdeen,— a 

something of a station. 
Safe Harbor always is serene for rural 

navigation; 
If Pittsburg fails to satisfy, a Smoke- 
town we can offer, 
And though we have no Drexel nigh a 

Ledger we can proffer. 
What need to seek the Holy Land so far 

across the ocean? 
We have Bethesda near at hand, a Bethel 

and a Goshen. 
For Cockneys we have London Grove for 

buyers always Sellers; 
Long since our Goodville angels drove 

the imps away from Hellers. 
Pedantic Boston drummer chaps who call 

potatoes "tubers" 
Oan drum more business up perhaps at 

Hubley's than at Ruber's. 
Our Sorrel Horse might well be stuck be- 
side the best of Ascot, 
And we need never lack for luck as long's 

we have a Mascot. 
Blue Ball, White Rock, Red Run and 

Rhecm's we show amongst our lingxD 
And Pleasant Grove in quiet dreams not 

far from Conowlngo. 
We have a Talmage in our bounds, yet 

Sports unchecked may revel 
At Sporting Hill or on the grounds sur- 
rounding Chestnut Level; 
Or break their necks in Brecknock's 

plains, or simply dump their cargo 
At Hains or Cains or Hell's Gate Lanes, 

Eldora or Camargo! 
Within our borders may be found both 

Leacock and Lampeter 
And many other names that sound too 

rugged for my meter. 
Like Vera Cruz, and Monterey, Tayloria. 

Gap and Dissler; 



12 

But "one by one" the rest to say I leave 

to— Simon Shissler! 
Sufficiently I think I've shown with all 

our gifts from Nature 
We pretty well can hold our own in local 

nomenclature. 



This long digression please excuse, we 
still were at the table 

Enliven'd with the latest news and anec- 
dotes so able. 

And then the witty joke and jest, the 
laughter ever present, 

The repartee and all the rest that flow'd 
and flash'd incessant,— 

O. reader, could my lines but be so bright- 
ly interlarded. 

For all the time you give to me you 
would be well rewarded! 

What tho! some stories were not new it 
made but little matter, 

Were chestnuts barr'd but precious few 
Bon mots we'd have to scatter; 

When what is told is fresh to me in but 
the slightest feature 

Why, what care I how old it be to any 
other creature. 

There's not a verse in modern lore how- 
ever bards have striven 

But what its twin from days of yore I 
doubt not could be given. 

Should living Poets therefore cease their 
Sonnets to be stringing?— 

The birds as soon might hold their peace 
nor plague us with their singing. 

There's room for all— for all a chance; if 
they should not approve you 

Let Criticasters go to France, but never 
let them move you! 



A proof of how well Lancastf^r 
cared for the public in her early his- 
tory may be found in the splendid list 
of Inns, Hotels, Taverns and Road- 
houses scattered throughout our city 
and county. The old names also natu- 
rally suggest old people, times and 
manners, so I make no apology for ap- 
pending a few reflections by way of 
footnotes to the catalogue: 

Ye Anciente Innes— our old Hotels!— to 
name them thro' and thro' 

Would conjure up ((whatever else) a 
pretty fair-sized Zoo. 

We had "The Lion" and "The Lamb," 
"The Unicorn," "The Bear," 

"The Leopard," "Turtle," "Bull" and 
Buck" and "Horses" by the pair; 

"The Flying Angel," "Golden Fleece," 
"The Eagle" and "The Cat;" 

"The Rainbow" and "The Thirteen 
Stripes," "The Compass" and "The 
Hat;" 

"The Cross Keys" and "The Globe" dis- 
played their hospitable charms 

In friendly competition with "The Penn- 
sylvania Arms;" 



13 

'"^^^..r^'^^T^.^^ Prussia" Siernboard near 
..T^ ^"^ Washingrton" was seen, 
The Franklin" and "The William Pitt" 
beside "The Indian Queen." 
For those who did not like "The Ship " 
<.rr.u ??® Fountain" could be found, ' 
The Harp," "The Wheat Sheaf," "Wa- 
terloo ' or "Grape," no less re- 
nowned; 
*"^*^®..r?,i^*^:;i"-Hand," "The Rising- Sun," 

The Wag-on" and "The Wayne,"— 
And many more whose g-lory ne'er can 

be revived again! 
The other day I stood before the old 

colonial "Plow," 
And thought how very great the change 

between the Past and Now! 
If Lyman Gage thro' Lancaster his course 

should chance to steer 
It's hardly likely he would look for "food 

and lodging" here. 
And yet this very place and house we 

positively know 
Was g-ood enough for Gallatin a hundred 

years ago. 
Last Sunday night, in musing mood, when 

all was hushed and still 
Prom German street with easy pace I 

climbed the Queen street Hill 
And took a stroll around the site where 

once had stood "The Swan," 
A hostelry of great repute in ages past 

and gone. 
As Fancy waved her magic wand, erasing 

what was new, 
How many g-limpses of the Past were 

brought before my view! 
I saw the Bartons— big- and small— old 

Thomas of St. James, 
Who loved his king- so well he shirked 
_, the Young Republic's claims; 
The famous Botanizing- Ben whom Andre 

taught to draw; 
The Doctor with the best advice to bind 

a broken jaw; 
Matthias with his Ores and Clays, hia 

Honor Will, the Judge, 
And Lawyer Wash., the silver-tongued 

whose merits none could grudge; 
I saw old Father Beates pass, and roving 

Henry Boehm, 
Who lived to realize in part his Methodis- 

tic dream; 
I saw the noted Eberman, who made our 

first Town Clock; 
Saw Bishop Seybert stop to greet a mem- 
ber of his flock; 
I saw Lord Altham, as a hind, for Bar- 
ber's prison bound; 
And Temperance Black and Eberle In 

medicine renowned; 
I heard the hated Hankes harangue 

against Masonic Arts; 
Saw Draughtsman Scott expose for sale 

his Lancasterian charts; 
Caught Bishop Peter Eby's voice as in 

his well-known vein 
He told the story of the Cross in Men- 

nonlstic strain; 
I siaw the Martyr'd Dickson led to edit in 

the jail 
The sheet that never could be gagged nor 
forced to trim its sail; 



14 

I saw the Graver Peter Getz, whose work 

was deemed so fine 
The Washingtonian first cent piece was 

made from his design; 
I heard the Post boy blow his horn and 

shortly with Its load 
"The Good Intent," in all Its pride, came 

rumbling down the road; 
I saw Judge Grosh, as big as life, re- 
turning from a drive 
And bravely seated by his side his Mrs. 

Number Five; 
I heard Miss Slough's piano fill the 

Square with sweet perfume 
As once again she play'd for me "The 

Rose Tree in full bloom;" 
Saw Baron Humboldt when he came with 

laurel in-Jiis hand 
To greet our Clergyman, the famed Lin- 
naeus of our land; 
And heard his brother hum the lines by 

which he's known the best. 
Adopted as a Standard Hymn despite his 

warm protest; 
"He would not aiway" live, he said — "he 

did not ask to stay" 
And soon to old St. Luke's, New York, the 

Poet went away; 
Saw Dr. Priestley come to town from 

Strasburg where he stayed 
Before the Susquehanna's banks he ven- 
tured to invade; 
Saw Champneys on a champing steed, 

Herr Smith and Dickey, too, 
And here and there a color'd m'an and 

here and there a Jew; 
Saw Steinmans, Heinitsches, Demuths, 

whose business signs they say 
Six score of years ago were here as they 

are here to-day; —«/ 

Saw Caldwells, Cassels, Cochranes, Erbs 

and Kauffmans by the score, 
Perees and Graffs and Fahnestocks and 

many others more. 
Upon a barrow standing near some local 

books were shown 
Whose tempting titles made me wish that 

they might be my own; 
"The Chronicon," "The Martyr's Book," 

and others in the dress 
That first they wore when they were 

launched from our first printing 

press; 
A pamphlet set from Coulter's type, a 

most inviting pile, 
Of Broadsides, Ballads. Bills and Tracts 

in Chattan's finest style; 
The pious "Vision" seen and penn'd by 

Herr with such effect 
It made our first New Mennonite the 

Bunyan of his sect. 
"The Prayer of Love" by Geist, who still 

is spared to use his pen; 
Some "Twisted Threads" by some one 

else, but now beyond my ken; 
"Colloquial Phrases— Bhrenfried;" and, 

what is still more rare, 
A German Folio Bible made by "Alman- 

acker" Baer, 
A bunch of modest bits of Verse, some 

Sermons bound in calf, 
With Lawyer's Books and "Oriflammes 

—I could not name the half; 



15 

But all I know were worth my time, re- 
stricted tho' it be, 
Had I been granted but the chance to 

'talie them home with me. 
Beside the heap a little box I noticed 

loaded full 
With "Tickets for a Drawing" held "to 

build a Publick School," 
Recalling in their vividness the free and 

easy Age 
When all such schemes were legalized and 

very much the rage. 
They helped to build our Streets and 

Roads, and Churches much revered 
We still have standing in our midst that 

thus were financiered. 
Indeed, some towns were started so, and 

started fairly right, 
Tho' some" again, like Bridgeton, boomed, 

and disappeared from sight: — 
Not thine, O breezy Brownington, be such 

a fate to share. 
Thy castles ail too lovely are to leave 

them in the air! 



It would be quite impossible to 
exhaust my topic if I talker^ for 
a week. After I thought I had 
handled the subject fairly well, I had 
an experience last summer that ena- 
bled me greatly to enrich my pages. I 
ask your indulgence while 1 relate the 
circumstances, as my adventure per- 
tains to one of the most illustrious 
characters associated with the name of 
Lancaster: 

It was the hour when light begins to 

wane 
And underneath the garlands and the 

flags 
Columbia's heroes in their honor'd 

graves 
Had heard the echoes of the last salutes, 
The bands of music and the silver tongues 
That told the story of Memorial Day. 
Through Rossmere Tract companion'd by 

my dog 
With pensive step I made my easy way 
Until I paused before the modest shaft 
That marks the site where stood the 

house where lived 
The Statesman, Lawyer and the patriot 

Chief, 
Of all our Citizens the only one 
That left his name upon the Roll of Fame 
Whose lustre Time can never blot or dim. 
While speculating on the sacred spot 
As darkness thickened there appeared to 

me 
A man I took to be of middle age. 
His wig, his breeches and his coat and 

vest 
His hat and shoes, colonial one and all, 
But yet so well they graced the hallow'd 

ground 
So smoothly joined the current of my 

thoughts 
And he so plainly was so much at home 
I was not startled as I might have been, 



16 

And unabashed, "Good Evening, Friend," 

I said. 
He nodded kindly as if not displeased. 
And thus encourag-ed I resumed my talk: 
"How comes it. Judge, that I behold you 

here? 
You cannot tell me you were overlooked 
And were not asked to join the "Yellow 

Cats," 
For once disparted from their bags of 

green 
To meet at Ephrata to feast to-night?"— 
He sweetly smiled and answer'd, "I sup- 
pose 
The limit line had somewhere to be drawn 
And since the Host took all the living bar 
'Twas wise I think to let the dead ones 

rest. 
I knew, besides, that I should meet with 

you 
And having watched you in your recent 

work 
(If task so pleasant could be counted 

such!) 
I thought my time with profit might be 

spent 
! In speaking to you on your chosen 
• theme!" 

With keen delight my thanks I stammer'd 

out 
And sitting down upon the grassy bank 
The very spot where once perhaps he sat 
When he decided in his heart, to write 
The autograph that now so much is 

prized 
; And risk his fame, his fortune and his 

life 
\ For Independence and the end of Kings, 
He cleared his throat and speaking slow- 
ly said: 
Too much entirely you have overlooked 
That should be surely mentioned in your 

verse: 
As one who sits before a living screen 
That seems to move in panoramic style 
I see before me in its ceaseless flow 
The Stream of Time unfolding like a 

scroll. 
And as the pictures that appear to lead 
Go flitting by now more or less distinct, 
In briefest phrases I will note the scenes 
That most impress me as they glide 

along. 

/ GEORGE ROSS SPEAKS: 

/ The prospect opens with the distant Past 

f When James the First was wearing 

Britain's Crown 

And all our country was a forest vast 

Of little value and of less renown. 

The Susquehannocks and the Shawanese 

Delighted then upon our hills to roam 

Or by the Creeks amongst the mighty 

trees 

Erect the Wigwams that they called a 

Home. 

Of Shakespeare's era, of his kin and kith. 
No stranger doubtless to our mighty 
bard 
The great Explorer Pocahontas Smith 
Presents a sketch that claims our brief 
regard : 



^ 



17 



A g'iant Indian in his hunting dress 
Prepared alike for either friend or foe, 

The native ruler of the Wilderness 
His sceptre symbol'd in his bended 
bow. 

Then came the Age of Quaker William 
Penn, 
The French-Canadians and their trading 
schemes 
When Chief Opessah and his leading men 
So oft broke in upon the White Man's 
Dreams. 

Here moved the Chartieres and made 
their abode, 

Pierre Bizaillon also settled here. 
And left his Epitaph in "Peter's Road" 

Our one reminder of his long career. 

Scotch-Irish, Welsh, and English settlers 
next 
With Swiss and Germans came upon the 
scene. 
And through a "purchase" or a worse 
pretext 
Commenced locating in our rich de- 
mesne. 

The Smiths their trials with the Lowrys 
share. 
Each man equipp'd with Bible and with 
gun— 
Ah, who can tell how much they had to 
bear 
From "Cresap's War" until the 
"Bloody Run!" 

Now far transplanted from his native 
land 
The Douglas in the Piersol found a 
friend; 
"A kindly Scot lies here"— of all he 
plann'd 
The only record of his final end. 

Here also lived the Semples and G-al- 

braiths, 

Tbe Wilkins, Harrises and many more, 

And here occurr'd the first of all the 

deaths 

That later on such awful fruitage bore: 

When Tbomas Wright was by an Indian 
killed 
With perfect truth it may be briefly 
said: 
Each drop of blood that day at Snake- 
town spilled 
Before the end was by a life repaid. 

Such names as Mylin, Kendig. Hess and 
Bare, 
The Frantzes, Landises, the Herrs, the 
Gales, 
Hostetter, Brenneman and Shirk and 
Hare 
Were common now amongst our Glens 
and Dales. 

Inl Donegal but here and there to quote, 
We had the Andersons, the Scotts, the 
Speers; 



^ 



18 

Sterrits and Porters we might also note 
And Fords and Pattersons of later 
years. 

Amongst our Welsh came Davis Foulke 
and Jones. 
Ellis and Eivans and a score beside 
VV hose patronymics still our country 
owns 
And still can mention with no little 
pride. 

The Swiss, the Germans and the English 

stuck. 

But with a few exceptions by the way 

Still further West the bold Scotch-Irish 

struck 

Till they are over all the West to-day. 

More peaceful times now came upon the 
land 
And white and red men might be seen 
to meet 
At "Gibson's Pastures," as we under- 
stand, 
The site where now we have our County 
Seat. 

From Oberbach the saintly Beissel came 

To whose opinionative zeal we owe 
The sect that brought to Eiphrata the 
fame 
That yet surrounds it with a dying 
glow. 

In cloister'd cells that still are shown us 
there, 
Like monks and sisters of the Church 
of Rome 
Austere in lodging and in garb and fare 
The pious Baptists made their hermit 
home.* 

A strange community, we must confess. 
To judge them only from their outward 
guise, 
But in their Schools and in their Printing 
Press, 
They proved their culture and their en- 
terprise. 

Their Books of Music and their Painted 
Charts 
That still the studies of the learned en- 
gage 
Attest a leaning to the finer Arts 
Within our borders in a bygone Age. 

They came as softly as the falling deiw. 
They lived in peace and when they came 
to die 
They disappeared as gently from the 
view 
As misty vapors in the morning sky. 

How great the contrast from the constant 

strife 
Of other settlers in our broad domains, 

* Not thine, O Raikes, the Sabbatarian 
fame 

That undisputed for so long ye bore. 
Thy torch was but rekindled at the flame 

Here lit by Hacker forty years before! 



19 

This green oasis in the arid life 
Of early days amongst our hills and 
plains ! 

But while we pause to make our mental 
notes 
Our panorama has been moving on, 
We look and waken from our musing 
thoughts 
To find the era of the Red Man gone. 

Alas! alack! that we should have to se« 
With all the horrors we could well de- 
scribe . ,. . 
The Paxton Rangers in their ghoulish 
glee 
Wipe out the remnants of our native 
tribe. 

No longer now amongst our valleys seen.: 
The Aborigine pursues the chase 

Along the Creeks where trees are ever 
green, 
All unmolested by an alien race. 

And what remains of what was once so 

great , . 

To link the present with the days or 

yore?— ^ , . 

A dozen names that no one can translate, 

Some pictured hieroglyphs and— nothmg 

more! 

Now guided by the Cannon smoke be- 
hold ^ , ^.. 
Our fearless Farmers as they leave their 
farms •■ ,. ,j 
TO' join our Citizens as brave and bold 
In opposition to the British Arms. 

The certain War coufld be no more post- 
poned ^ , J. , 
And who more quickly rushed to vol- 
unteer . ^j. 1^ j_ 
That Transatlantic Rule might be de- 
throned ^ . 
Than those enlisted from our County 
here? 

Our fighting Hubleys we may take as 

types ^, , ,„ 

Of all who joined them in the noble 

And marched away beneath the Stars and 

To he?p to clip the mighty Lion's claws. 

Horw well their mission was in time ful- 

We need not in a hurried sketch recall; 
Knough to say that as it had been willed 
They did their share to break the 
Tyrant's thrall. 

Our Inland City figured largely then: 
Here Congress met if only for a day. 
And here King George's scarlet-coated 

For stronger reasons made a longer 



stay. 

put th 

I worli 

hired, 



We put the Hessians to repairing shoes, 
-To work the mines the Fusiliers were 



20 

^^^ "°L? ^?^' ^^ ^e <^an trust the news, 
J.0 settle down amongst us were in- 
spired. 

We hear to-day of peaceful bands of men 
Upon the tramp because of Rights de- 
layed. 
This City muster'd such an army then— 
Our Soldiers who avowed they would be 
paid. 

In recent years the Paxton Boys had 
scared 
The Quaker City when they marched to 
town, 
And now our "Flying Camp Reserves" 
declared 
The time had come again to travel 
down. 

They made the journey as they said they 
would 
Received the promise they had come to 
seek 
Discussed its tenor and pronounced it 
good 
—And all were home again within a 
week. 

"Thorough" or "Through" our Founder's 
motto stands 
And thus whatever we may undertake 
When we "turn to" and "spit upon our 
hands" 
All opposition has to yield or break! 

If treated rightly we will do our share 
In any business that may be to do: 

Abuse us and you soon will be aware 
Our people can be good Insurgents too! 

The famous Franklin, weighing this and 
that, 
Perhaps our Country's most reputed 
Sage, 
Statesman, Philanthropist and Diplomat 
With splendor shines upon our local 
page. 

Our Seat of Learning he endow'd, and 
when 
We first grew rich enough a Hall to 
own, 
It was the frugal Democratic Ben 
Who came himself and laid the Corner- 
stone. 

On College Hill now stands his Monu- 
ment, 
His glory joined to Justice Marshall's 
fame, — 
Minerva's Light with Law's effulgence 
blent 
Irradiating from the double name! 

'Twas in our City that the well-known 
phrase 

'•The Father of his Country" first ap- 
peared. 

And here we gather'd to accord our praise 
To him in person whom we all revered. 



21 

We met him in his famous Coach of State 

At Wrightsville Bridge and brought him 

thence to town. 

And here our President was pleased to 

wait 

To add to our already great renown. 

We dined and wined him in our City Hall 
One glorious Fourth, and while his 
name survives 
We can with gratitude and pride recall 
The signal honor as each Fourth ar- 
rives. 

The Mother of the Revolution, toe- 
Sweet Lady Washington— has seen our 
town, 
And many houses that we yet may view 
Have heard the frou-frou of her silken 
gown. 

Along our streets old Chester's soldier 
Wayne 
Has often gallop'd on his mad career. 
And it's a certainty that Thomas Paine 
Prepared some numbers of his "Crisis" 
here. 

The Ornithologist and Scottish Bard, 
Rare Sandy Wilson (once the friend of 
Burns!) 

Canvass' d our city, and in his reward 
Of one subscriber figured big returns. 

Count ZinzendorfC and Botanist Michaux 
Both took our measurement in ages 
gone;— 
One preaching from our Court House 
Portico, 
The other viewing us and passing on. 

From Centre Square the Quaker Artist 
West 
Commenced his struggle up Fame's 
rugged steep 
To reach the Laurel that was Britain's 
best, 
And with her greatest at the last to 
sleep. 

Ah, surely then it was a gala day— 
We read it now as if it were romance! — 

When here our people in their best array 
Received the Hero from the land of 
France. 

Our ladies met him with their posies 
sweet 
Tied up in ribbons, red and white and 
blue. 
And on the platform or upon the street 
Were duly kissed, if all reports are true. 

Our Scholars sang for him their sweetest 
notes. 
Our soldiers hailed him with their 
loudest cheers. 
Our finest speakers with their choicest 
thoughts 
Retold the story of his younger years. 

And with us still, not quite unknown to 
fame. 
Lives Casper Weitzel, whom we all 
have met, 



22 

That as a babe received his Christian 
name 
Reposing- in the arms of Lafayette. 

Good Father Keenan we can also see, 
St. Mary's Pastor and our City's pride 

Beloved by all and always known to be 
A safe adviser and an able guide. 

"^u" S;e"erations did he preach and teach 

His life and labors only g-iving o'er 
When lacking less than three short years 
to reach 
The splendid record of the full five 
score! 

Much more did my interesting com- 
panion tell me, but I must hasten on. 
As you will soon perceive, "all is grist 
to my mill." In my ardor to collect 
new data I do not hesitate to confer 
with the dead or to take a tip from the 
living, but, so far as it can be done, 
always with due acknowledgment, I 
trust: 

Speaking of the old-time Manners, Cus- 
toms, Fashions,— what you like, 

Robert Risk's "Observed and Noted" re- 
cently I chanced to strike, 

Reading there a Lamentation couched in 
prose as pure as terse. 

For a whim I paraphrased it into 
Alexandrine verse. 

'Rather risky to enlarge it!'— do I hear 
a critic say?— 

Well, Bxpansion is in order over all the 
land to-day. 

If I've err'd assimilating raw materials 
duty free; 

If I've looted facts and figures clearly 
ready-made for me; 

Bob, I know, my Muse will pardon even 
where he finds she strays. 

And to him be all the glory, and the 
honor and the praise. 



LAMENT FOR APRIL 1. 

The First of April has been dead for 
years ! 
It lives no longer as our greaitest day: 
No more within our bailiwick appears 
Its hum of business and its mixed dis- 
play 
Of solemn faces land of pleasure gay. 
Ah, where is he who in his youth has 
seen 
The rustics gather in their best array. 
And views the stragglers that may now 

convene 
On this once noted date, but sighs for 
what has been! 

Not long ago it was the only chance 
That many farmers would consent to 
take 
To see the City and to give a glance 



23 

At current fashions— for the women's 

sake; 
The one occasion when they made a 
brea.k 
In fifty weeks of drudging on the soil. 
At plow or harrow, at the scythe or 
rake, 
Or dropped the burden of their Indoor 

toil 
To pay their yearly bills and count their 
twelvemonths' spoil. 

Then might the Countryman be spied In 

town 

In all the bea.uty of his unkempt hair, 

His suit of black or drab or khaki brown 

As quaintly cut as 'twas of buttons 

bare. 
He moved among us with a gawky 
stare. 
Or from a doorstep or a window sill 

Survey'd the passers with a wistful air 
To capture which might well have tried 

the skill 
Of our Von Ossko's brush or Phoeb© 
Gibbons' quill.* 

He summed accounts upon a water plug. 

His money roll brought often into view. 

And thought it nothing out of place to 

lug 

His dinner with him and his horse's, too. 

No peanut stand nor eating house he 

knew. 

Unless perhaps a doughnut he might buy. 

Or spend a nickel on an oyster stew; 

But yet at times he has been known to 

try 
Both Sprenger's brand of beer and Rei- 
gart's brand of Rye. 

He was a ringer for the small boys' joke*, 

Who "April-fooled" him to their hearts' 
content, 
A ready victim to the crudest strokes 

The older fellows would for him invent; 

The empty parcel and the heated cent 
That lay unnoticed by the city jays; 

And rarely to his country home he went 
Without neglecting from the curb to raise 
The neatly-bound brick-bat that always 
met his gaze. 

Yes, he is gone and with him, too, has 
gone 
The backwoods beauty and her country 
swain, 

♦ When I reflect upon the varied sects 
That more or less around us masque- 

And think how triflingly the garb affects 
Some pious wearers when it comes to 

trade: 
When I believe, however long delay'd. 
We grow like what we worship-^if we 
can. 
I sometimes think with one who well 
has said: 
'An honest god's the noblest work of 

Man!' 
And wish some freaks I know subscribed 
to such a plan. 



24 

Who loved on this red-letter day to don 
Their finest clothing and to g-ive the rein 
To all the fancies of the rural brain; 
To haunt the station and take in the 
shows, 
And see the sights thajt follow'd in their 
train 
From early morning to the final close, 
With that profound delight which but 
the rustic knows. 

They made a picture that was worth a 

frame, 

This happy couple as they walked the 

street 

In broadest day not shrinking to proclaim 

How love at last had made their lives 

complete; 
Their little fingers linked in converse 
sweet. 
Perchance they nibbled at a ginger cake, 

Or for variety preferred to eat 
The pretzel which the Litita bakers 

make- 
One bag between them both for pure af- / 
fection's sake. 

Unvexed by tailors and their changing 
style. 
His father's coat the guileless Brummel 
wore, 
A little smooth it might be in its pile 
But sound as ever to its inmost core, 
A broad-brimmed hat upon his head 
he bore, 
An ancient collar and a stock encased 
And chafed his neck until they made 
it sore; 
His front was by a brassy watch chain 

graced 
And greasy boots his tight, high-water 
pants embraced. 

His girl was also "fitted out to kill," 
With ample freedom in her homespun 
dress, 
Her hat a triumph of her artless skill 
In robbing color of its loveliness; 
No patent leathers did her feet com- 
press. 
Her calfskin shoes were easy and were 
dry. 
And for her crook our rustic shep- 
herdess 
Display'd a parasol that one might try 
In vain thro' Rose's stock or Follmer, 
Clogg's to buy. 

Thro' netted mitts her fingers could be 
seen 
And red they were, as were her cheeks 
and fat. 
But they would err who thought she must 
be green 
Or who would try to take her for a flat. 
She knew her business and her Bible 
pat. 
And those who might attempt to put her 
out 
Would for their tit receive a fitting tat, 
And wish beyond the shadow of a doubt 
They had not been so rash as bring the 
tilt about. 



25 

What else she might be she was not a 
prude, 
And all regardless of the dude or fop, 
She did not scruple wheresoe'er she stood 
To make her pocket-book her stocking 

top; 
And on the street or in the druggist's 
shop 
She did not hesitate in sharing bliss 
By drinking from her sweetheart's glass 
of pop, 
Or, deaf tO' laughter and the fountain's j 
"siss." / 

Imprint upon his lips a smacking country- 
kiss. 

When night came on the farmer home- 
ward hied 
His wagon loaded with enough for 
three: 
Our youthful Romeo by his Juliet's side 
Not far to rearward we might also see; 
That night she did the driving so that 
he. 
With her to hold the reins along the way, 
Might have his hands anu all about him 
free 
To do the courting that I doubt not they 
Believed to be for them the best part of 
the day. 

And gone as well the old-time Bully is 

Whose one ambition was to start a row. 
Who wa:lked around chuck full of 
"whiskey-fiz" 
To smite his enemies his open vow: 
They one and all have made their final 
bow. 
Such scenes and actors are forever o'er. 
The Press, the Postman and the Trolley 
now 
So much have added to advancement's 

store 
That old-time April First can come again 
no more! 



Let us pause now, to take a brief 
glance at things as they are: 

Here flows the tide of human life in vol- 
ume full and strong. 

By changing scenes of peace and strife, 
thro' types of Right and Wrong. 

We have the country and the town and in 
them may be seen 

The city gent, the rustic clown, and all 
the grades between. 

The men who dress with hooks and eyes 
commingle with the beaus 

Togg'd out in fashion's latest guise from 
shdits to patent toes. 

The dames and damsels mix and mell 
from Dunker matron staid 

To that rare sample of the belle— an Iris- 
tinted maid! 

The farmer gossips in the store or tests 
the drinks on tap 

In dens along Bohemia's shore not men- 
tioned on the map. 

The gaudy wenches of the street their 
trade in daylight ply 



26 

While Amish lasses pure as sweet in yel- 
low teams drive by. 



For leading- Recreations now the Park, 

the Boulevard, 
The Country Club and Boating Trips are 

held in high regard. 
AVhen Golf refuses to engulf the cares of 

business strife 
A Conestoga River row can add new zest 

to life; 
And even those who do not wish to steer 

or pull the oar 
Need not unsatisfied remain upon the 

verdant shore 
When steamers like "The Lady Gay" for 

for half a dime or so 
Defying winds or tides traverse the 

waters to and fro. 
Athletic Clubs and Reading Rooms con- 
tent the more sedate 
And Baseball Games and Football Games 

with others have their weig^ht. 
The devotees of Cards and Chips can al- 
ways find a game 
From mild Progressive Euchre up to 

Poker not so tame. 
Roof Gardens, too, have just come in 

where Vaudeville displays 
Her choicest shows for from a dime to 

twenty cents a gaze. 
And then we always with us have Mc- 

Grann's far-noted course 
For lovers of the Turf to test the merits 

of a horse, 
While Lime Street Track from Grubb's to 

Clay no small attention wins 
For Sleighing Heats in Winter Time or 

Summer Sunday spins. 
Indeed, for Locomotion we are now so 

well supplied 
Who cannot fit his fancy here can not be 

satisfied. 
From bicycles to Four-in-Hands and up 

to Tally Hos 
With Auto Cars of all desig^ns our county 

overflows. 
I'll not endeavor to compute nor venture 

to declare 
The miles I've passed with Mr. Shand be- 
hind his spanking pair; 
North, East and West and South I've 

seen his trotters test his skill 
By shining creek or dark ravine or 

thickly wooded hill. 
And not a few romantic spots were first 

brought to my view 
By "Douglas's" and "Dan'l's" help, to 

give them but their due! 
With all so fine it's pretty hard however 

one might strive 
To single out for special praise a single 

special drive. 
A half a score of routes pop up for choice 

of foremost claim 
Succeeded by a dozen more with merits 

no less lame, 
And in the end if one is fair it might be 

frankly said 
Seek where we like and when we may 

we'll always be repaid! 



27 

But pleasant as such driving is it must be 

noted slow 
To riding on the Trolley Cars,— wherever 

they may go. 
And now the rails or plans for rails the 

county maps reveal 
Like spokes converging from the hub of 

some gigantic wheel. 
A man can have a choice of lines for 

miles and miles to glide 
Across a country justly known as "Penn- 
sylvania's Pride," 
The Garden Spot of all the State un- 

equall'd for its farms 
Its handsome Buildings, splendid stock 

and other rural charms; 
In Agriculture's widest range without a 

par or peer, 

The very first upon the list where'er you 

care to steer; — 
So brilliant, and so big a gem that it was 

doubtless planned 
To be the flawless Koh-i'-noor to place on 

Nature's hand. 



Outsiders might not be blamed if 
they were to consider we had now 
reached the end of our string of celeb- 
rities and important happenings; yet, 
it seems to me, we have only scratched 
the surface, and have failed to mention 
one of the most famous incidents con- 
nected with our district, and the most 
brilliant galaxy of our local stars: 

Who has been so dead as never to- have 

read about the claim 
Which entitles Christiana to the highest 

local fame? 
There was fired the shot that tyrants 

trembled in their hearts to hear. 
Marking Fifty-One forever as an Epoeh- 

Making year! 
In the streets of Christiana (fitting place 

indeed to tell) 
Once again we heard the story told by 

one who knew it well: 
One who in his youth had heard it from 

the very lips of those 
Who were actors in the drama from its 

outset to its close: 
Who in graphic language pictured Ed- 
ward Gorsuch bold and fierce 
As, supported by his kindred, and by Dr. 

Thomas Pearce, 
He invaded Parker's dwelling on a dark 

September morn. 
Leaving Kline, the timid Marshal, in a 

nearby field of corn; — 
How the clamor soon collected all the 

people near at hand 
As the wealthy Marylander for his slaves 

made loud demand;— 
How that Hanway, Lewis, Scarlett and 

the other men of peace 
By their presence and their manner 

hoped to have the tumult cease:— 
How the outcasts massed together armed 

with clubs and scythes and guns 
Ready to repel the onset threatened by 

the Southland's sons;— 



28 

How the reckless, daring Gorsuch cursed 

the darkies as he said 
If he could not get them living he would 

surely take them dead;— 
How the no less fearless negroes bravely 

met their bitter foe 
And with their Initial volley laid the fiery 

Gorsuch low; 
How the white unharmed Aggressors now 

less valiant than discreet 
When they saw their Leader dying in his 

gore amongst their feet 
Left the spot for further succor, led by 

Marshal Henry Kline, 
As the Hero of the Cornfield doomed for- 

evermore to shine! 
Yes, 'twas here, in Christiana, our pre- 
cursors did prefer 
Helping slaves to fight if need be, quiet 

Quakers though they were. 
And <the Riot there encouraged was the 

first decided stand 
Made by Right against Injustice backed 

by Law's protecting hand! 



A random word about our claims that 

some one was to edit 
Recalled how many famous names we 

have got to our credit. 
If I should wish to read the roll of all 

our country's noted 
You would be weary of my scroll before 

they could be quoted. 
Prom Weiser down to Wickersham, to 

take a sample cluster. 
What other group can Uncle Sam from 

equal limits muster? 
Betwix't the gloaming and the dark in 

Long's now celebrated 
But still neglected City Park last night 

they congregated. 
For many months we have revolved since 

Cath'rine did devise it 
When all the legal doubts were solved 

ho'w best to utilize it: 
Now surely here a hint we find that's 

worth consideration, 
Why not preserve it for a kind of Spirit 

Reservation? 
The Susquehannocks I'll be bound would 

all be much elated 
To use a Happy Hunting Ground so nicely 

situated. 
Palefaces too among the braves might 

no't object to rally 
When for a frolic from their graves 

they were allowed to sally: 
Unvexed our Great Departed there could 

have their nightly meetings 
And with the living if they care enjoy 

fraternal greetings! 
I closed my eyes and saw them pass with 

more or less precision 
As once again they trod the grass be- 
fore my mental vision: 
And for his poor imperfect plan excuse 

the lame recorder 
Who only names them as he can with no 

attempt at order. 
Forgive me if the first I saw were Keiths 

and Hamiltonians 
And Stewarts, Mitchells, Gordons, '"a my 

brither Caledonians;" » 



29 

And I can hardly be reproved if better 

yet and finer 
I spied a Scot but once removed in Ross 

our only Signer, 
DeHaas beside him took his stand and, 

through the group to hurry, 
I hailed the Fighter Rockford Hand and 

old Grammarian Murray. 
The Mifflins and the Atlees two, the 

Shippens and the Snyders, 
And Forney first among the crew of all 

our news providers. 
There Muhlenberg and Fulton walked 

discussing trains and trolleys. 
As Heintzelman with Reynolds talked on 

Philippino follies. 
Old Dr. Neff in all his pride untouched 

by Time's eraser, 
I noticed walking by the side of doughty 

Colonel Fraser. 
Professor Haldeman was shown a 

Shreiner Timepiece scanning. 
While Dr. Harbaugh all alone to smite his 

Harp was planning. 
A sermon on "the Jasper Gates examined 

as an Omen" 
Was being preached to Jasper Teates by 

Sainted Bishop Bowman. 
And Henry Leman with a gun, as Curtis 

Grubb was cheering. 
Had Langdon Cheeves on the run for 

reasons not appearing. 
At Kevin's side stood Lititz Beck and 

near them Thomas Burrowes, 
While Simon Rathvon tried to check a 

bug among the furrows. 
Old Brewer Franck explained the mode 

of tapping kegs of lager, 
As Rauch and William Henry show'd the 

first designed screw-auger. 
The murdered Ramsey, looking weak, at- 
tempted to inveigle 
Old Maytown-born Lochiel to speak with 

Manheim Baron Steigel. 
And it was worth a lot to spy Rebecca 

Gratz's manner 
As Barbara Freitchie hobbled by with 

Bible and with Banner. 
The artist Eicholtz paused to paint a 

Dunker's little daughter. 
While Dr. Agnew made complaint about 

our muddy water. 
And lo! I thought, how Time the worst of 

crookednesses evens 
As Wheatland's Sage upon me burst in 

pleasant talk with Stevens: 
I heard such words as "Tagalogs," and 

"Cubans" and "a. cleaning" 
And "Ripper Bills" and "to the dogs," but 

could not grasp the meaning. 
And just as Marriott Brosius stopped to 

make a short oration 
To my regret the curtain dropp'd without 

an explanation. 
The shadows faded into air in manner so 

capricious 
The Tryst I hope again to share when 

Fate is more propitious. 
And when I do and lift the veil from what 

is yet remaining. 
My next Apocalyptic tale may be more 
entertaining! 



30 



EXTRA! 

The Printer having just advised me 
that the "copy" on hand w^ould leave 
several blank pages in the "form," I 
have decided to improve the oppor- 
tunity by recording a few more local 
lines. The bulk of the foregoing mat- 
ter was inspired by a visit paid to 
Christiana last spring, and the most 
of the following fragmentary extracts 
refer more particularly to that inter- 
esting occasion. — J. D. L. 

The Beginning of it. 

Why, yes, of course, it's worth a rhyme 

as long's the Susquehanna 
To celebrate the splendid time I had at 

Christiana. 
The School Commencements there for 

years have been so greatly noted. 
The Orator that there appears so very 

widely quoted. 
Among us here they're apt to say a 

fellow's education 
Is not complete unless he may take in a 

celebration. 
With such preamble you'll agree I should 

have been delighted 
When to --e classic jamboree this year I 

was invited. 
And very pleased I was, in fact. "I'd let 

ye all be knowing," 
Thro' Tom McGowan's kindly act to get 

the chance of going. 
To crown the whole another friend with 

very small persuasion 
Confirmed my promise to attenu on this 

august occasion. 
When honor'd far above my meed by 

Hensel in addition 
I felt I was in luck indeed exceeding my 

ambition. 
Big-hearted William Uhler, he is worth 

my sweetest measure; 
He at his best can only be when giving 

others pleasure. 
As fine a man as I have met— where'er 

I'm situated. 
When I his kindness may forget may I 

be execrated! 
Whenever he elects to guide good fellow- 
ship is present. 
Wherever he may turn aside the path is 

always pleasant. 
Whichever road we choose to go it never 

can be stony 
With Pennsylvania's Cicero to act as 

Cicerone. 
I have no rare prophetic gift— I'm not a 

politician, 
But at a pinch can make a shift to read 

a premonition; 
And I'm afraid, unless my friend his 

many friends can fetter, 
A Judge or Justice he will end, or Gov- 
ernor — or better! 



31 

The Party. 

Why should we not have all felt good ana 

had a fling- at folly? 
Our host was in his brightest mood and 

Schaffer more than jolly. 
The genial Judge that is was free from 

cases to perplex him, 
The other Judge that is to be had noth- 
ing yet to vex him.* 
The youthful Sproul had cast away the 

senatorial toga, 
"Will Keller's briefs, as we might say, 

were sunk in Conestoga. 
Our brother George in Quarryville had 

left his business lying 
While I myself with all my skill to sink 

the shop was trying, 
And when our honor'd Uncle Ike, his face 

with pleasure glowing, 
Drove up the Philadelphia pike our cup 

was overflowing! 

A Red Lietter Day. 

Why should we not have all been gay 

and Nature triply gorgeous— 
For It was Shakespeare's natal day, St. 

Coyle's and great St. George's! 
The English worthies both are gone— 

but that's another story- 
Enough that we had Lawyer John alive 

and in his glory. 
His Little Legend "Forty-Three" another 

year completing 
Looked very bright and sweet to see 

across the floral greeting: 
And in a sentence seemed to say "from 

now until it closes 
Our brother may expect his way to be 

among the roses." 

The Last Ride. 

Day was waning, but the stars yet had 

not started to arrive. 
When refreshed and more than happy we 

commenced our final drive; 
With a swish and merry clatter forth 

upon the road we fared, 
Each one doubtless to his liking with a 

boon companion paired. 
I, as ever, extra lucky, sat behind a noble 

steed. 
Born and bred in old Kentucky, famed 

for strength as well as speed: 
Beautiful as one could wish for, and when 

treading grass or sand. 
Meeting cows or passing wagons, guided 

by a master hand. 
George and I, tho' lately strangers, as we 

added mile to mile, 
Soon like old-time friends were chatting, 

getting closer all the while. 
What altho' the distant landscape faded 

quickly from our view; 
What altho' a thicker darkness followed 

with the gloaming dew; 



* All things foreshadO'W'd don't take 
place, but this we can report: JUDGE 
SMITH with dignity and grace now rules 
the Orphans' Court. 



32 

WJiat altho' we soon were threading 

turnpikes more by faith than sight; 
Bless'd with such a pleasing comrade 

driving was a pure delight! 
Who can name the themes or topics that 

we did not touch upon 
As by hill and slope and meadow briskly 

we went speeding on? 
Education, Travel, Business— Country 

Gain and City Loss, 
Politics and Men and Manners all in turn 

we gave a toss. 
But what most perhaps amused me was 

his story of a word 
Used within his observation in a manner 

most absurd: 

"A Pacific Proposition." 

George had just been in Seattle, on the 

Puget River slope- 
Land of fruit and wood and salmon — 

land of sunshine and of hope! 
And he said it "beat the record" how the 

natives "slung the slang" 
And upon a "proposition" all the silly 

changes rang. 
If a cloud with moisture threaten'd then, 

the subject of remark 
Was "a rainy proposition" on the street 

or in the park: 
If a poor old man or woman on the pave- 
ment made a slip 
"A banana proposition" very likely made 

them trip: 
Was the noontime flyer scheduled then 

the porter wisely knew 
That "the midday proposition" in a 

minute would be due: 
Did a hearse upon a corner block a car 

by some mishap 
Then "a funeral proposition" very 

promptly was on tap! 
Talk of terms and modes of logic— not a 

few, but truly all 
Kinds of verbal propositions with these 

people had the call: 
Problematic, apodictic, categoric- not a 

style 
But was used in conversation in a way 

distinctly vile. 
And it's likely until something better 

comes to fill the bill 
In their thriving city they are "proposi- 

tionizing" still! 
"Well, we will not with them quarrel, 

let them use it as they may. 
And the more that they abuse it sooner 

will it lose its sway. 
Till at last, by all neglected, it may find 

its final grave— 
'A Pacific proposition'— underneath the 

briny wave!" 

In Pownall's Pavilion. 

But the time was now approaching when 

Commencement should begin, 
To the famous big pavilion young and old 

were trooping in; 
And when we by Slokum guided marched 

in solemn Indian file 
Through the brightly-lighted entry down 

the single centre aisle; 



33 

When the Borough's crack musicians 

hailed the strangers as they passed 

"With a welcome that a Sousa never at 

his best outclassed, 
When at last upon the platform each one 

found his vacant chair. 
Not a man but was delighted he had been 

invited there. 
Such a sea of upturned faces surged and 

swayed before us then 
In a line to do them justice I confess 

defies my pen; , 

Fathers proud and anxious mothers, 

blushing belles and happy beaus 
Sat by sisters and by brothers right and 

left for rows and rows, 
Even little bits of babies here and there 

we spied anon 
Smiling dimpled buds of promise— and 

performance later on! 
Looking round the stage we noticed 

nodding right and left to friends 
William N. Commenius Riddle, famed to 

Penn's remotest ends, 
View'd as teacher, author, critic— all the 

three combined in one. 
Never need the Red Rose City blush to 

own to such a son. 
And we noted "Jack" McCaskey— ' Doc- 
tor," if it better please. 
Sitting as a guest of honor, and, as al- 
ways, at his ease. 
Tireless worker, always modest, kind and 

gentle to excess, 
Loved as friend and educator— may nis 

shadow ne'er grow less! 

TUe Exercises. 

To recite the whole proceedings, inter- 
esting as they were. 
Would, I rather fear, compel me on tne 

side of length to err; 
For to merely quote the speeches heard 

that night within the hall 
Would require a fair-sized volume, noting 

nothing else at all. , , • 

Graceful Miss Amanda Landes, lackmg 

her without a doubt 
We'd have had the play of Hamlet with 

Ophelia's role left out; , , ^ 

All her themes were well selected, to 

display her varied art, 
And the loud applause she captured 

proved how well she did her part. 
Then the uoys who graduated— each one 

with a clever taU; 
Any one might soon discover they could 

tell you cheese from chalk. 
Not forgetting sweet Miss Wallace like a 

rose upon its stem 
And her speech of salutation, also in it- 
self a gem. 
The Motto— The Lesson— The Example! 
But of course, the finest thing was Mr. 

' SchafEer's short address. 
Touching on the need of Courage in the 

winning of success. 
Oh, if I could only give his nne, long, 

lubricating words," ^ . ^j. 

Smooth as Smyrna's brand of butter, 
sweet as Mrs. Hannum's curds. 



34 

You would say without discussion— even 

Coyle would soon conclude 
"Forty-three" was not a motto that could 

charm like "Forti-tude!" 
Who could fall to see the beauties of so 

pleasing a discourse? 
Who could miss its leading lessons pic- 
tured with such telling force? 
"TRY— it makes demands for courage! 

TRUST— you need the virtue there! 
TRIUMPxi!— those who are the bravest 

only can expect the fair! 
Don't be awed, but be audacious! If you 

look for fame or gold 
Learn that fear invites misfortune. Luck 

abides but with the bold!" 
Schaffer finished, Sproul regaled us 

greatly also to our gain 
With a few remarks, impromptu, cast in 

reminiscent vein. 
As he stood and spoke before us — "famed 

and rich and young"— I sighed 
"There is Mr. Schaffer's model in the 

flesh personified!" 
In our day and generation rarely such a 

man appears— 
None, indeed, I know to fairly match his 

record for his years. 
Was It not an inspiration to invite him to 

attend?— 
In himself a potent lesson all could see 

and comprehend. 
Doubtless not a few who heard him as 

they strive to reach their goal 
More than once will be encouraged if they 

but— remember Sproul! 



'Wer mied deheem is, un will fort, 

So luss ihn numme geh' — 
Ich sag ihm awwer vorne naus 
Es is all Humbuk owwe draus, 
Un er werd's selwert seh'!" 

— Harbaugh. 



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